Chapter 2: Biosphere and ecosystems the portion of the earth that supports life, includes all biotic and calayer of air (nitrogen: oxygen; carbon dioxide; inert gases), that a the earth: : the area of solid land/around the earth (rock and soil), sticks out” of the nydrosphere to form continents Hydrosphere: consists of the oceans and fresh water on the earth's surface. BIOMES: (bi {| horrie) any region with a distinet climate together with all the organisms (fauna and flora) that live in that region. 2.3. BIOMES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 2.4. TERRESTRIAL BIOMES BIOME NAME. WHERE SITUATED Kalahari Bushveld Low veld Central plateau of SA. | Blue Crane Kwa-Zulu-Natal (National bird) Eastem Cape Black Wildebeest Nama Karoo Westemhalfof SA. _| Riverine rabbit © Sumoor verso | (endangered species) Plants are endemic in this ar and cannot be found anywhere else.Dia, ore, Gun Yar -Namaqualand - Endemic flowers Namaqualand daisy Mostly succulents ~ South Westem and 80% of plant species Knysna Floral Region | are endemic e.g. Proteas. Mountain zebra -Western Cape and Knysna Region 20 - 20°C Knysna Lourie {endemic bird) Outeniqua Yellowwoodn tree (largest) -Fragmented areas in Kwa-Zulu Natal -Extensive in Eastern Cape Climate *e ‘Addo Elephant Park Black Rhino Sunbirds -Kalahar-northwest to the lowveld -Namibia Welwitschia Perennial plants ‘occur in specialized habitats2.3 Aquatic biomes of South Africa Aquatic biomes are determined by the depth, flow, temperature and amount of dissolved chemicals in the water. Table 1 summarises the different aquatic biomes. Table 1: Summary of aquatic biomes Examples of ecosystems in biome Rivers, lakes and wetlands Open sea Rocky shores, sandy beaches lagoons, estuaries, kelp forests A. __ Inland freshwater biomes Freshwater biomes are closely linked to the surrounding terrestrial biomes, Runoff of rainwater forms streams and rivers and runoff that are trapped form ponds and lakes. Location Rivers flow through valleys and ravines. Lakes occur mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Wetlands are found in KwaZulu-Natal, for example St Lucia and the Wester Cape (Langebaan and De Hoop Vlei). Wetlands Wetlands prevent flooding by holding water much like a sponge. By doing so, wetlands help keep river levels normal and filter and purify the surface water. Wetlands accept water during storms and whenever water levels are high. When water levels are low, wetland slowly release water. Wetlands reduce erosion. Wetlands also release vegetative matter into rivers, which helps feed fish in the rivers. Wetlands help to counter balance the human effect on rivers by rejuvenating them and surrounding ecosystems, Many animals that live in other habitats use wetlands for migration or as breeding grounds. For example, herons nest in large old trees, but need shallow areas in order to wade for fish and aquatic life. Amphibians often forage in upland areas but return to the water to mate and reproduce. Unlike most other habitats, wetlands directly improve other ecosystems. Because of its many cleansing benefits, wetland have been compared to kidneys. The analogy is a good one. Wetlands and kidneys both help control water flow and cleanse the system.Typical fauna and flora Hydrophytes, such as bulrushes, grasses, reeds, water lilies and some trees, provide food and shelter for animals, such as insects, snails, frogs, reptiles, fish and mammals. Plants are adapted to survive in this biome, for example: tissues with intracellular air so that the leaf floats and remains near the surface for photosynthesis, the lack of a cuticle layer covering the plant, so water can be absorbed over its whole surface, - teduced or absent roots, - finely branched leaves that do not break in the water currents, or large leaves to float on water - the absence of specialised supporting tissues, as the high density of water provides support. Animals, such as insect larvae, have gills or breathing tubes. Fish have gills and streamlined bodies. Birds, such as whistling ducks, have webbed feet for swimming. The extraordinary long toes of the jacana distribute its mass over a large area so that it can walk on floating vegetation while searching for invertebrates. B. Saltwater biomes Estuaries Estuaries are the meeting places of the rivers and the sea - where freshwater meets saltwater. Organisms must be specially adapted to live there, because the habitat has features of both marine and freshwater biomes. The fresh water brings rich nutrients from the land, and the mixing of salt and fresh waters allows huge numbers of marine life to exist. Fish, birds, crustaceans such as crabs and insects, lay their eggs in estuaries. Examples of estuaries include coastal bays, river mouths, salt marshes, and tropical mangrove forests. What are the threats to estuaries? Anything that happens to a river can have an impact on the estuary. For example, a river that flows through farmlands can be polluted by poisons to kill pests and nutrients from farm fertilisers. Also, soil that washes into the river when farm land is overgrazed can cause the estuary mouth to close.